Do You Remember Reba McEntire’s Forgotten Sitcom? We Do
What To Know
- After her hit sitcom Reba ended in 2007, Reba McEntire returned to television in 2012 with a forgotten primetime show.
- Malibu Country was a show about a country singer starting over in Malibu.
- It premiered to strong ratings but mixed reviews.
Reba McEntire isn’t just a powerhouse country singer; she’s also a bona fide television icon. These days, she stars in Happy’s Place, which has its season 2 premiere on November 7, 2025, at 8pm EST. But there was a show between Happy’s Place and Reba that even the biggest fans of the flame-haired actress and singer might not recall: Malibu Country.
When Reba ended in 2007, fans were not ready to say goodbye to McEntire. For six seasons, she made us root for her as the single mom from Texas who somehow held her family together. So when she returned to television five years later with a new sitcom called Malibu Country, excitement ran high. The idea of McEntire stepping back into a sitcom felt like the perfect comeback. Only this time, she was not in Houston; she was in Malibu.
Malibu Country premiered on ABC on November 2, 2012, and followed Reba MacKenzie, a country singer who moves from Nashville to California after discovering her husband has been unfaithful. The show opened with Reba, her two teenagers, and her outspoken mother, played by Lily Tomlin, starting over in a beach house owned by her ex. She tries to revive her music career while figuring out life as a single mom in a new city.
Nicole Wilder/ABC/Everett Collection
Behind the scenes, Malibu Country had the right mix of experience. McEntire served as an executive producer alongside veterans who had worked on Reba. The series even opened with a theme song she recorded, “Goodbye Looks Good on Me.” Early numbers looked promising. The premiere drew more than nine million viewers, giving ABC its strongest Friday comedy half-hour in years.
The supporting cast gave the show personality. Sara Rue played Kim, the overly friendly neighbor, while Jai Rodriguez appeared as Geoffrey, a record label assistant trying to help Reba restart her career. Justin Prentice and Juliette Angelo played her kids, giving each a start to their Hollywood careers. The series leaned on family humor and the push-and-pull between Southern roots and coastal living.
Nicole Wilder/ABC/Everett Collection
Then the momentum cooled. Critics were mixed from the start, perhaps comparing the series to Reba. Ratings softened as the season went on. On May 10, 2013, ABC canceled the series after one season and eighteen episodes. Fans who hoped for another long run like Reba were disappointed, but not surprised, as it just wasn’t as good.
Richard May/Bravo/Everett Collection
Interestingly, Malibu Country made an appearance on reality television during Season 8 of The Real Housewives of Orange County. Cast members Heather Dubrow and Gretchen Rossi both discussed guest spots that were reportedly offered to them on the sitcom. The debate over who was actually approached for a role turned into one of the show’s more talked-about behind-the-scenes storylines. While Dubrow was actually featured on the show, Rossi claimed that Dubrow only got the gig after she turned it down.
Where to Watch Malibu Country
Malibu Country is available to purchase by episode or as a full season through digital platforms such as Amazon Video, Apple TV, and Google Play.
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